Controller for electric motors



May 8, 1923- 1,454,527

PL PL vvAisa CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 18, 1920 v ATToRNF May 8, 1923 1,454,527

H. N. WADE CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS Filed Nov. 18, 1920 2 sheets snee 'JJELBHLQB ENVENTOR WWW ATTORNEY construction is adapted to co-operate with said stud for releasably holding said switches in closed position.

coil 22 and with a hinged armature 23 the latter carrying a resiliently held latch 24 for direct co-operation with the stud 19 to maintain the switches closed, subject to release upon de-energization of the coil 22. A spring 25 serves to maintain the latch normally in holding relation while providing for movement of'said stud to its latchedin position during energization of coil 22.

An additional collar member 26 1s arranged about the aforementioned collar 17 being loosely mounted thereon for movement relative thereto, said collar 17 having a shoulder 27 and a cotter pin 28 or the like to limit axial shifting of the collar 26 and said latter collar having an integral or rigidly secured operating arm 29 projecting toward the rheostat 10 and terminally carrying a roller 30. Said collars 17 and 26 are provided respectively with lugs 31 and 32 for limiting relative angular movement thereof in onedirection while a spring 33 serves to bias the collar 20 against angular movement in either direction from the position illustrated wherein the aforementioned lugs are in engagement with one another. S aid collar 26 is thus movable by means of its attached operating arm 29 to effect closure of the line switches and is moreover operable in the opposite direction Without influence upon said switches, the

spring 33 tending at all times to return said arm and collar to the position shown.

The rheostat 10 is in general of known construction, comprising a brush carrying arm or spider 3 L movable angularly in opposite directions to effect co-operation with suitably arranged contact buttons 35. In the present instance said buttons are illustrated as arranged in three groups to correspond with the assumed. number of phases of the motor secondary circuit the spider 34 being similarly provided with three brush carrying arms. Said spider 34 is provided with a member having opposed cam surfaces LS6 and 36 adapted to (to-operate directly with the roller 30 of the switch operating mechanism aforedescribed, the arrangement being such that said mechanism is actuated for closing and latching in the line switches prior to engagement of the rheostat contacts but during movement of the spider 34 in a direction for causing such engagement. A spring 37 serves to bias the spider 34 against movement from the off position illustrated and to provide for automatic return of said spider to such position following displacement and release thereof. Said.

spider is further provided with a lug 38 adapted. to cooperate with astop or buffer 39 for limiting movement of the former under the action of the spring 37. A spring pressed latch 40 is arranged to engage said lug 38 upon movement of the spider to full running-position and to maintain the latter in such position subject to forcible release by means of the operating handle 11.

A switch to control continuity of the energizing circuit of the coil 22 is also mounted upon the panel 15 adjacent the rheostat 1t) and preferably comprises a resilient contactor 4i normally in electrical engagement with a fixed contact 42 but: adapted to be moved and held out of such engagement by a stud 43 carried by the spider 34 upon movement of the latter to off position as illustrated.

The operation of the device may be dcscribed as follows. Upon clockwise rotation of the rhcostat spider by means of its opcrating handle 11 the stud 43 first disengages the contactor 41. whereupon the latter engages its co-operating contact -12 whereby upon subsequent closure of the line switches the energizing circuit of coil 22 of the latching-in device is completed. Also the cam surface 36 engages the roller 30 and forces the arm 29 forwardly thereby effecting closure of the line switches, the same being maintained closed by the aforementioned eucrgization of said'latehing-iu device. Thereafter upon continued clockwise movement of the spider the circuit resistance is progressively excluded in, the usual manner and upon arrival of the spider at its full running position the lug 38 is engaged and held by the latch 40 for main tainiug the parts in running position. Should the operating handle 11 be released at any time prior to the aforementioned latching of the rhcostat spider in its full running position, said spider is adapted under the influence of the spring 37 to return to the off position illustrated and in so doing to interrupt the energizing circuit of the coil 22 through the switch contacts 41a nd 42 to thereby permit opening of the line switches. the cam surface 36 is adapted to ride over the roller 30 thus forcing the operating arm 29 toward the panel 15 but without influence on the position of the line switches.

Upon failure of voltage of the supply circuit at any time subsequent to closure and latching-in ofthe line switches, the latchingin device becomes de-energized for permitting opening of the line switches in the usual manner, whereas following opening of said switches the same cannot be reclosed by means of the handle 11 except following return movement of the spider to the off position illustrated.

Voluntary stopping of the motor after full Also during such movement lot acceleration thereof is effected by exerting upq the handle 11 suilicient force in a counter-clockwise direction to release the lug 38 from latch 40 whereupon said handle mav be released and the various elements are adapted to function automatically in the manner aforedescribed for returning the spider to the position illustrated and also effecting opening of the line switches.

It is further obvious that a push button or other switch ma be arranged to control the energizing circuit of coil 22, thus u'ovidine for remote control of the device for stopping.

The aforedescribed device, while particularly adapted to use as a starting and accelerating controller further adapted with slight modification to use as a speed regulator.

Under such conditions the spring 37 and the latch 40 are omitted the remaining parts being; adapted to function in a manner obvious from the foregoing description to effect starting, stopping and positive and negative acceleration of the motor as desired.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. In a motor controller, the combination with associated mechanisms to control respectively the line connect-ions and the air cuit resistance of a motor. of an operating member for certain of said mechanisms and an operative connection providing for operation of both of said elements upon unidirectional movement of said operating member throughout a given range and also providing for reverse movement of said member through and beyond such range without atfecting certain of said mechanisms.

2. In a motor controller, the combination with associated mechanisms to control re spectively the line connections and the circuitresistance of a motor of an operating member for certain of said mechanisms and an operative connection providing; for operation of the other of said mechanisms upon unidirectional actuation of said member through a given position and requiring reverse movement of said member befvond such position prior to subsequent operation or" certain of said mechanisms by said member.

3. in a motor controller, in combination, a primary switch unit mounted for oscillation about a given axis. a resistance commutating unit mounted for oscillation about an axis angularlv displaced with reference to said former axis, an operating: member for one ct said units and an operative connection providing for operation of both of said units upon unidirectional actuation of said operating member throughout a given range. and also providing for reverse move ment of said operating member through and bevond such range without affecting certain of said units.

4. In a motor controller, in combination, a primary switch unit mounted for oscillation about a given axis, a resistance commutating unit mounted for oscillation about an axis angnlarly displaced with reference to said former axis. an operating member for one of said units and an operative connection providing for operation of both of said units upon unidirectional actuation of said operating member through a given position and requiring reverse movement of said operating member beyond such position prior to subsequent operation of certain of said units by said member.

I n witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

HENRY N. WADE. 

